Electric switch.



C. J. KLEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22. I91].

K0 1 9 1 7n 0 6 D d 6 m 6 t a U1 CHARLES J. KLEIN,

F MILWAUKEE-, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. (10., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

ticeeca.

Application filed May 22, 1911.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of. Milwaukeeand State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification. 7

My invention relates to electric switches. In one of its adaptations it more especially relates to switches of the type known as feed through switches; that is, to switches which are arranged to have their terminals connected in one branch of a circuit and have the other branch of the circuit extend through the switch casing.

It has among its objects to provide'an improved switch of exceedingly simple, efiicient and inexpensive construction.

A further object of my invention is-to provide improved means for supporting and inclosing the switch mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of my in vention will hereinafter appear.

For the purposes of illust ation, I shall'in this application .describe my invention as the fed through type.v

applied to a switch of My invention itself, however, is not limited in'its application to switches of this type, or tothe specific construction chosen for pur poses of illustration,but may'obviously assume other forms and be used in various otherrelations.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 shows a central sectional view of an assembled switch. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the interior of one of the halves of the switch casing, with the operating member in position in the same. Fig. 3 shows a side elevation of the interior of the other half of the switch casing, with the terminal contacts in position therein. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the switch contactor.

In these figures I have illustrated a preferred form of switch mechanism which is of the push button type described in my Patent No. 985,421,'patented February 28, 1911. This switch mechanism includes a reciprocable cam. member 1 of the conformation of a double frustum, positioned base to base, having flanges 2 at its reduced endsand push buttons 3 extending in opposite Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 628,781.

directions beyond the flanges 2. A resilient contractor 4 inclosing a-garter spring 5, is provided with central perforations 6 through which the cam member passes and is adapted to be thrown upon a movement of be fitted into the sides 9 in suitable vertically extending slots 12. In a preferred form the forward edges of the sides 9 are cut off obliquely to form a peaked edge as shown in Fig. 4. In order to provide ample room for the garter sprin 5, which is housed between the parts% and 10, perforations 13 are preferably cut in the sides 9. This switch mechanism is housed in a central position in a casing having two halves 14 and 15, which are preferably composed of a suitable insulating material, and are adapted to be clamped together by screws 16 and 17, respectively above and below the push buttons 3, to form an assembled casing having a substantially oval longitudinal cross section and'reduced ends as illustrated in Fig. 1. The casing 14, an interior view of which is shown in Fig. 3, is provided with a longitudinally disposed recess 18 of'substantially vided with nipples or sleeves 22 which act as' guides for the screws and serve to insulate the same in their passage through the contact members. The inner edges of the contact members 19 and 20 are bent inward substantially at right angles, as at 23, and are received in transversely extending recesses 24, the bottom of the recess 18.

Patented et. a, tats.

In a preferred form the edges of the contact members 19 and 20 are slightly rounded along the linesupon which they are bent.

The outer ends of the contacts 19 and 20 are provided with ears 25 carrying binding screws 26 adapted to clamp the ends of conductors and are provided with laterally extending ears 27 and upwardly extending lugs 28 toassist in making a good terminal connection. In apreferred form the contacts 19 and 20 are seated in shallow re-' cesses 29, in the bottom of the recess 18, which are of an irregular shape adapted to receive the body portions of the terminal contact and the lugs and ears on the same. Above and below the binding screws 26, the casing. 14 is provided with vertically extending rounded grooves 30 which permit the entry of the conductors to the bmdmg screws. In a preferred form shghtly deeper transversely extending grooves 31 are formed in the grooves 30 so that insulating washers 32 may be carried in the same. Between the grooves 30, in the opposite ends of the casing 14 and extending along the bottom of the casing on one side, at a depth substantially the same as that of the recess 18, is a groove 33 adapted to receive the conductor which passes through the switch casing. In a preferred form the bottom of this groove 1s provided with a slightly raised portion 34,

which serves to hold the conductor in position in the casing when the casing is assembled.

The casing 15 is provided with, transversely extending recesses 35 adapted to receive the screws 16 and 17 In a preferred form threaded taps 36 riveted in the casing are provided to receive the ends of these screws and the recesses 35 may communicate with rectangular shaped recesses 37 which fit the taps 36 and are adapted to prevent the rotation of the same. The inner ends of the recesses 35 extend through projections 38 on the inner surface of the, casing 15. These projections 38 have enlarged mouths 39 surrounding the inner ends of the recesses 35, which are semi-circular in shape, and preferably communicate with the outer ends of the casing. Horizontally disposed flanges 40 are formed on the inner edges of these extensions 38 and these flanges 40 are arranged to fit over the sleeves or nipples 22 on the casing member 14, as shown in Fig. 1, so that a chamber 41 for the switch mechanism is formed between the two casing members. Due to the provision of the flanges 40 this chamber completely incloses the switch mechanism. Communicating with the chamber 41 on opposite sides are recesses 42 and 43 inthe casings l4 and 15. respectively. These recesses 42 and 43 are adapted to receive the ends of the cam member 1 when it is reciprocated within the casing. Communicating with the recesses 42 and 43 are recesses 44 and 45 which extend through the casings 14 and 15 respectively and are adapted to permit the reciprocatipn of the push buttons 3. The end walls of the .re-

cesses42 and 43 serve as stops for the cam.

tactor and provide a stop against which the flat body portions 7 of the contactor is adapted to abut, transversely extending recesses 47 are provided in the casing 15. By thus recessing the casing 15 a stop 48 is provided between the recesses, which when the contactor is thrown back to open position, shown in Fig. 1, engages the body portion of the contactor and prevents further backa ward movement of the same, while the rounded portions 8 of the contactor are free to move backward into the recesses 47. Above and below the projections 38 the easing 15 is provided with dished out portions 49 which are opposite the binding screws 26 on the casing 14, and are arranged to receive conductor knots if desired. Above these chambers 49 the ends of the casing 15 are provided with grooves 50 and 51 corresponding to and registering .with the grooves 30 and 31 of the opposite casing 14. The two sets of grooves, 30 and 31 and 50 and 51, unite when the casing is assembled to provide suitable passage ways for the conductors and means for holding the insulating washers 32 in position. I

hen the device is assembled and properly connected in circuit one of the conductors is connected to one of the binding screws 26 while another conductor in the same branch of the circuit is connected to the other binding screw 26. The conductor which constitutes the other branch of the circuit is passed through the switch casing in the groove 33 and clamped between the casing members and engaged by the raised portion 34 in said groove. \Vhen the switch is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the circuit of thesame is opened and the body portion 7 of the'contactor rests against the stop 49, the rounded portions of the contactor lying in the grooves 47 and the ears 11 of the contactor lying in the grooves 46. Vhen the cam member 1 is pushed to the left and the crest of the cam passes through the garter spring 5, this garter spring moves rapidly down the right hand slope of the cam to the right or circuit closing position, and the sides of the contactor 9 engage the bent porter spring passes over the crest of the cam,

and the improved form of contacts used, the circuit is made or broken very rapidly with little or no arcing at thecontacts. Further, due to the'provision of the stops limiting themovement of the reciprocable cam member securely housed in a closed chamber.

and the stops limiting the movement of the contactor, and the fact that the contactor reaches the limits of its travel at substantially the same time that the cam member reaches the limits of its travel, there is little or no strain upon the switch members, so that the switch mechanism is adapted to long service and the shock of impact is exceedingly small. To obtain access to the switch mechanism all that it is necessary to do is to remove the screws 16 and 17 when the two halves of the casing may be separated so that the contact members are accessible. I I

By my improved construction I have been able to provide a switch device which is of a compact and rugged construction and in which the parts are so constructed and arranged as to permit of'long use in service. Further, the switch casingis of a convenient form and presents a symmetrical appearance and maybe readily connected and disconnected from the conductors when desired. The members of the switch mechanism are Further, the conductor which extends through the switch casing is securely clamped in the same and the arrangement of the casing is such that the weight of the switch mechanism does not rest upon the contact screws.

' Further, by the provision of the insulated washers in the ends of the casing, the conductors are held securely and snugly in place' and are prevented from rubbing and wearing their insulation. Numerous other advantages of my improved construction will be readily apparent to'those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application described one form which myinvention may assume in practice, I have only chosen this form as a means of illustrating the principle of my. invention, which itself is capable of assuming many forms and being adapted to various other uses than that herein described.

Consequently I do not wish to be-limited to the specific construction herein described, but wish to cover allthe forms andv modifications of which my invention is capable.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is Y 1. In an electric switch, a switch mechanism of the push button type, a two part casing inclosing the same, terminal contacts NEW for said switch mechanism carried on one of the parts of said casing on opposite sides 'of said switch mechanism and means for holding the parts of said casing together extending through said contacts.

2. In an electric switch, a switch mechanism of the push button type, a two part casing having tapering ends, terminal con tacts for said switch mechanism carried in a recess in one of the parts of said casing having a body portion lying fiat onthe bottom of said recess on opposite sides of said switch mechanism and contact surfaces bent substantially at right angles to said body portions.

3. In an electric switch, a snap switch mechanism of the push button type, a two part casing inclosing the same having reduced tapered ends provided with grooves, and a groove in one of the parts of said casing communicating with the grooves in the ends of the same, and terminal contacts for said switch mechanism carried by one of the parts of said casing and arranged on opposite sides of said switch mechanism.

4. In an electric switch, a snap switch mechanism of the push button type, a casing inclosing the same having reduced tapered ends provided with grooves and a groove extending through said casing and communicating with the grooves in its ends, terminal contacts carried by one of the parts "of said casing having bent contact surfaces located in a plane parallel with the plane of movement of. said switch mechanism.

5. Inan electric switch, a snap switch mechanism of the push button type, a casing inclosing the same, terminal contacts for said switch mechanism insulated from each other and carried in recesses in said casing adjacent its ends, said terminal contacts having bent contact surfaces lying in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of movement of said switch mechanism.

6. In an electric switch, a two part casing of insulating material, a,push button operbody portions of said contact members and insulated therefrom.

7. In an electric switch,a snap switch lllt mechanism, a two part casing inclosing the sameland hauingconductor openings in its opposite ended one of the parts of the casing carrying terminal members for the switch in the opposite ends of a recess in the same adjacent said openings {while the other part of said casing is pro' ded with means ar- "ang'ed to inclose the switch mechanism in a closed chamber, both of the parts of said casing being arranged to guide and limit the movement of the operating parts of said switch mechanism.

8. In an electric switch, a snap switch mechanism of the push button type, a tWo part casing having conductor openings in its pposite ends arranged to guide the operating parts of said switch mechanism and establish the limits of their movement and having suitable recesses arranged to inclose said switch mechanism in a closed chamber, terminal contacts carried by one of the parts of said casing on opposite sides of said switch mechanism adjacent said openings and means for holding the parts of the easing together.

9. In an electric switch, a push button operated snap switch mechanism, a two part casing inclosing the same, said casing being provided with reduced ends having longitudinally extending grooves and a groove communicating with the grooves in its ends and extending through said casing, terminal members for said switch mechanism carried in one of the parts of said casing having witnesses.

CHARLES J. KLEIN. \Vit-nesses:

H. L. ROCKWELL, GEO. HAYNES. 

